From Malay Mail · Julia Chan · · 1m 30s
He climbed Kinabalu off-trail. Now comes the bill
A Croatian adventure racer went up a closed route on Mount Kinabalu, fell, and set off a five-day rescue. A fine may follow.
In brief
A Croatian adventure racer went up a closed route on Mount Kinabalu, fell, and set off a five-day rescue. A fine may follow. Closed routes on Kinabalu are closed for a reason, and the cost of ignoring that falls on the rescuers first. Originally reported by Malay Mail.
A fine may be coming
Mauro Persic, 46, may be penalised for climbing Mount Kinabalu on an unsanctioned route with no permit. Sabah Parks has lodged a police report.
Nothing decided yet
Sabah Tourism Minister Jafry Ariffin said police and Sabah Parks are still investigating and will act once Persic has recovered.
“But considering everything… maybe he will receive a fine”
A warning to everyone else
Jafry framed the case as a public lesson: unofficial trails up Kinabalu carry real safety risk, and this is what that risk looks like.
Five days to bring him down
It took 43 search and rescue personnel five days to get Persic off the mountain, working through steep terrain and rain.
The wrong way up
Persic went up a closed-off route from Mesilou, hit trouble, fell, and had to call for help. He had been in an extreme adventure race at Tambatuan, Kota Belud.
Injured and alone
He came out with injuries to his right leg and right ribs, plus minor cuts to his hands, after days stranded on the mountain.
Probably not worth it
Persic thanked the rescue team, especially the porter who carried him down on his back, and admitted the adventure was likely not worth the cost.
“probably not”
What matters most
Closed routes on Kinabalu are closed for a reason, and the cost of ignoring that falls on the rescuers first.
